ABUJA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Four suspected terrorists died Tuesday in multiple explosions which occurred after security operatives in northeast Nigeria's Borno State demobilized three of four vehicles laden with improvised explosive devises (IEDs), according to spokesman of the military in the West African country.

Chris Olukolade, spokesman of the Nigerian military, said the terrorists were probably heading to attack a facility of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Borno State when security operatives at a check point opened fire on them.

The incident occurred in Mulai, an area along Maiduguri-Damboa road, an outskirt of Maiduguri, capital of the restive northern state, which also serves as headquarters of the ruthless Boko Haram sect.

Five soldiers were also injured in the incident, Olukolade said, although civilian casualties may be many. In a statement released after the incident, the military spokesman neither ascertained the extent of destruction nor how many civilians were killed and injured in the multiple explosions which caused residents to panic.

Distraught residents expressed fears that the incident might claim more civilian casualties, following the loud blasts that rented the air. Located at about five km away from Maiduguri, Mulai is a densely populated area of the northern state.

A source said rescue operation had begun in the area, as residents began to count their losses. The incident crippled business in the area and had halted human and vehicular traffic. Also, security operatives had immediately cordoned off the area, scrutinizing identities of road users and passerby.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although residents are blaming it on the Boko Haram sect which has proved to be a major security threat in the West African country since 2009.

The Boko Haram seeks to enshrine the Islamic Sharia law in the Constitution of Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and biggest oil producer in the continent.